Fili and Poppy were shocked about the letter and didn't know what to do. They decided to talk to their friends. They met Bilbo at Bag End and then walked together towards the Green Dragon to meet Hugo and Daisy.

The three hobbits couldn't believe that the Thain asked Fili to come to Michel Delving. They wondered if their might be another reason than what had happened a few days ago but had no idea.

Poppy put her hand on her belly and started to cry once again. "Why are we not allowed to simply be happy for a while? Why? We have done nothing wrong. Sometimes I think the Valar want to punish us for falling in love."

Fili wrapped his arms around her and whispered into her ear "Please stop worrying, my flower! It's not good for the baby. I'm sure everything will turn out fine in the end."

Daisy brought a cup of hot milk with honey, one of Poppy's favourite drinks, and tried to calm her down.

After a few more minutes Poppy's sobs lessened and they thought about what to do. They finally decided that Bilbo would accompany Fili to Michel Delving. He would tell the Thain what had happened and that many hobbits could confirm that the dwarf had done nothing wrong and was loved by everyone.

Daisy suggested to stay with her best friend once again. Poppy said that she'd be fine alone for a few days but Daisy would have non of it. Fili was glad that she insisted on staying with his wife since he worried that something might happen to Poppy or the baby.

#

The next morning Fili and Bilbo left. Poppy cried once again. Seeing her like this broke Fili's heart but he had no other choice than to do as he was told.

Daisy tried to distract her best friend as good as possible. They cooked and played one of their favourite games. When Daisy had to work, Poppy stayed with Camelia and her children.

Camelia had told Primula about the baby. At first Poppy was scared that she might be jealous. After all Fili would have his own child and would not have that much time to play with her anymore. But luckily Primula was happy and couldn't wait to meet the baby and to play with it and Fili. She even begged Poppy to have a daughter. She had two younger brothers and wanted a girl to play with. Poppy chuckled and promised that she'd try everything she could to have a little girl.

#

After 6 days Fili and Bilbo arrived back in Hobbiton late in the evening. On their way to Bag End they met Daisy. Originally Fili had planned to sleep at Bilbo's for the night because he didn't want to disturb to two females in his home. Fili quickly bid them goodnight and literally ran down the hill to get home.

It was quiet and dark inside their smial and so Fili tiptoed towards their bedroom. He didn't want to wake Poppy. He opened the door and was surprised to see Poppy standing in front of the bed completely naked with her back towards him.

Then Poppy turned around and was surprised to see Fili instead of Daisy standing their. She smiled at him and clutched her nightgown in front of her body. Then she swallowed "What did the Thain say?"

Fili smiled brightly "Everything is fine, he didn't even know about the incident at the market and was even angry when he heard about it. Of course he was curious about the dwarf in the Shire and asked some people about me occasionally. So he knew how happy we were and that you'd never commit adultery. He also apologised for the bad timing. He wants me to forge something for the coming of age of one of his sons. The lad is fascinated by weapons since they've been to Bree a few years ago. Now he wants to have sword."

Poppy sighed in relief and her nightgown fell to the ground.

Fili's eyes roamed over his wife's body until they rested on her slightly extended belly. She had never been more beautiful than now. He walked closer to her and stopped her when she wanted to pick up her night gown. "You won't need it tonight." He said and kissed her passionately. Then he stroked her belly with the tips of his fingers. "Our child had grown so much even though I was gone for less then a week."

"Yes, it grows every day a bit." Poppy said with a smile and kissed her husband again.

Fili kneeled down in front of Poppy and places many kisses on her bump and whispered to their child. He still couldn't truly believe that he was going to be a father in a few months. He had never been more happy than now.

Poppy smiled down at him lovingly and buried her hands in his golden hair.

After a while Fili kissed his way up her belly, breasts, neck and chin until his lips found hers again. Poppy opened his tunic and pulled it over his head. She played with the golden curls on his chest and then trailed her fingers along the scars that covered much of his chest, belly and arms. Fili watched her curiously.

Then Poppy placed a kiss on the worst looking scar, which was close to his heart, and frowned. "I could have lost you before I really got to know you. I can't imagine what my life would be like without you at my side."

Fili cupped her cheek and made her look into his eyes. "You don't have to imagine such things because I survived" He placed a kiss on her lips "for you! After the battle I wanted to die. I wondered why Mahal let me survive. But then I thought of you again and remembered that there was still something to live for."

Poppy smiled at him and caressed his chest. "I'm glad you did! Will you tell me about the battle?"

"I will, but not today. I'm so happy at the moment and I don't want to ruin our night." Fili explained and kissed her passionately.

When she started to open the laces of his trousers and looked at him lovingly, Fili forgot all his worries about hurting her or the baby. They tumbled onto the bed kissing. Fili tried not to put any weight onto Poppy belly and made love to her carefully for most of the night.